Robyn J. Plocher

November 3, 2013

Worldwide, approximately 1 million people die by suicide each year. This represents a global mortality rate of one death every 40 seconds. This toll is higher than the total number of deaths each year from war and homicide combined. For every person who dies by suicide, there are numerous survivors left behind to cope with the tragic loss.

Too often survivors of suicide loss believe the death of their loved ones is somehow shameful or that they or their family are to blame. But research shows that more than 90 percent of people who die by suicide have an underlying, although not always diagnosed, psychiatric illness at the time of their death, most often depression.

The holiday season can be a particularly difficult time for survivors. To help, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's International Survivors of Suicide Day will be held on Saturday, November 23rd in more than 300 cities around the world, including right here in Grundy County. Those left behind to struggle with all the "Whys?" following a death by suicide are invited to Engelkes-Abels Dike Funeral Chapel, 680 Main Street, Dike, Iowa on that day. Check-in will begin at 12:30 p.m. with program to start at 1:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.abelsfuneralhomes.com or call 319.830.4333.